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October/November 2015

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FROM THE EDITOR Is your garden looking as drab as mine? Potatoes have been harvested, broad bean plants have been removed and the tomatoes are refusing to ripen. I’m itching to get digging but know I must wait a few more weeks so I don’t have to walk on what I’ve already done to clear other crops. The last few days of September have brought us some well earned sunshine but we have also had big burst of rain too, hopefully this might make my leeks look more like leeks than blades of grass they currently look like. You should see the rows, they are pitiful. I see there are the first mentions of Christmas in this issue, I suppose it had to start sometime. I haven’t spotted anything in the shops yet but I guess we do have the new ‘holiday’ celebration to get through first – Halloween. PS Less than 100 days to Christmas! Don’t forget to let me have anything you would like included in the December 2015/January 2016 issue please let The Editor by 16 November 2015 at the very latest. Articles can be emailed to: venture@horseheath.info. To advertise your business please contact the Venture Team on 01223 891086 for more details.

ALL SAINTS’ CHURCH The Church was ‘open’ all day on Saturday 12 September and many people came to climb the clock tower and to see the new bells and clock cabinet. Thanks to Bernard Polley for his photos of the cabinet and bells, which were very useful for those who couldn’t face the climb! Future dates for your diary: Sunday Club: There will be no Sunday Club in October Harvest Lunch: Sunday 11 October, Horseheath Village Hall Harvest Festival Service: Sunday 11 October, at the Church Christmas Coffee Morning: Saturday 12 December, in the Church Christingle Service: Sunday 6 December at 3.30pm, in the Church For further details check The Connection. Pat & Judith Church Flowers and Cleaning

Date Cleaning and Flowers 27 Mrs Newman & Mrs Pearson October 4 Mrs Newman & Mrs Pearson 11 Mrs Smith & Mrs Jolley 18 Mrs Smith & Mrs Jolley 25 Mrs Mizon & Mrs Gouldstone November 1 Mrs Mizon & Mrs Gouldstone 8 Mrs Mayes & Mrs Wheeler 15 Mrs Mayes & Mrs Wheeler 22 Mrs Miller & Mrs Harrison 29 Mrs Miller & Mrs Harrison December 6 Mrs Newman & Mrs Pearson 13 Mrs Newman & Mrs Pearson

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HORSEHEATH PARISH COUNCIL A meeting was held on Monday 14 September in the Village Hall. In attendance were the Parish Clerk Bernard Yallop, our new District Councillor Richard Turner and our County Councillor Roger Hickford.

County Council news The study to draw some conclusions from the traffic survey from last year is due at the end of October. While the Greater Cambridge City Deal programme was originally was to look at the A1307 from Cambridge to Fourwentways, the whole stretch to Haverhill will now be considered although funding will be needed for any action further out than Fourwentways.

Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC) need £100m budget savings to be made over the next 5 years so the emphasis is on money saving over all activities. Some services are being shared with neighbouring Councils but inevitably services will be cut.

District Council news South Cambridgeshire District Council (SCDC) have started a boundary review for the District Council wards. Any changes will come into effect in 2018. Our ward may get bigger but with a single councillor responsible for a collection of villages within it.

Maintenance - The gate by the speed limit sign at the entrance to the village from Streetly End, which was replaced and has received another nudge. - The window in the bus shelter up near Alington Terrace is broken.

Human trafficking and slavery This is not a topic that has been raised before but the Police now feel this is serious enough to set up an Anti-slavery Day on Saturday 17 October at Cambourne and would like a representative from the village to attend. Please see the note from the Police elsewhere in this issue for the details.

Parish clerk vacancy We are making good progress in with our vacancy to replace Bernard Yallop, who has decided to retire as Parish Clerk. We are hoping to appoint a villager to start in November

King’s Stone We have applied for a grant to recut the lettering on the stone in the Churchyard wall as it is flaking away.

Burial Ground layby We are reapplying for a grant to help us provide a layby on the West Wickham Road and a new path across the allotments to The Parish Burial Ground. This will fulfil an agreement with the Diocese to provide an alternative access to our Burial Ground apart from across the churchyard.

Planning The new house next to the Cricket Field has finally received permission with a few minor changes in spite of objections from neighbours and the Parish Council at every step of the process, including the original permission to allow a large house on a small plot in a prominent position in the village.

The next meeting will be on Monday 9 November 2015 at 7.45pm in the Village Hall. All welcome.

Stuart Miller, Chair t: 893250 e: stuart@stuartmiller.co.uk

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1ST HORSEHEATH BROWNIES Since our return at the start of September we have been joined by Leah from Horseheath, Hollie from Balsham and Evelyn from West Wratting. We have also said goodbye to Daisy, Rosie, Sophia and Bethan who are all 10 and hopefully moving up to Guides and also to another Daisy who has decided to try different after school activities that clash with Brownies. We wish them well on their new ventures. With all the departures and new starters our unit is now reduced 17 members. We are still supported by Katie and Hera, our Young Leaders who are both working on their adult leadership qualification; Christine, Pat and Judith. I know that Sophie and I wouldn’t be able to do as much as we do without them. This term we are hoping to have a moon-lit walk around the village; create Harvest pictures to decorate the church for the Thanksgiving Service; make Christmas cards for our Christmas Luncheon; rehearse and then perform our entertainment for the Luncheon; plus much more. We also hope to hold another fundraising campfire for Pudsey with 1st Linton Guides. Our Over 60’s Christmas Luncheon invites, on Sunday 6 December, will be distributed in mid-November so look for it through your letter box. If you think your daughter may be interested in joining us please register her at www.girlguiding.org.uk/interested. If you would like more information on what we do or would like to help us with a special skill you may have then please drop us an email. PAULINE, SOPHIE, KATIE and HERA E: brownies@horseheath.info

A604 CLUB In October we will have having another Fish and Chip lunch in the Village Hall, this is one of our favourite activities. At our November meeting we will be visiting Scotsdales to see their Christmas decoration displays and gathering inspiration for our own homes. With another year nearly over our December meeting we will having our annual Christmas lunch, the date is yet to be fixed. If you are over 50 years and interested please ring Don on 01223 893428. CHRISTINE Secretary/Treasurer

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HORSEHEATH VILLAGE COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION Welcome back after the summer hols – things have been very busy this year at the village hall during the summer break. Have you seen at our new loos? They are very modern, ever-so posh, and absolutely spankingly fab! We must say a massive thank you to Ninian Bickerton and his team for all their hard work on the refurbishment – and for going above and beyond the call of duty; discovering a well (which even Christine didn’t know existed), building a new drain, battling a bee’s nest and generally making the whole process painless and stress-free... come and have a look – I’m sure you will be impressed! Talking of new, we now have two new caretakers: Maisie and Ken Bruce (no, not the Radio 2 DJ!) Maisie and Ken started at the beginning of September and will be keeping the hall and grounds in tip-top condition; ready for all your bookings and parties! And speaking of parties we are hosting our annual foodie night on Saturday 24 October and this year we are having another curry night. If you would like to book tickets please get in touch with one of your committee members. And whilst we are on the subject of committee members (do you see a pattern forming here?) we are desperately in need of new members – we are now only 4 and could do with some fresh input and ideas – if you are interested please get in touch with your nearest and dearest committee member on by email at villagehall@horseheath.info. On a bit of a downer we have to report some damage to the climbing tower in the children’s playground. Someone has kicked panels out at the bottom of the tower. One name has been mentioned to the Committee already but if the culprit or culprits would like to own up to causing this senseless damage it would be appreciated otherwise we may have no choice than to report it to the Police. 100 Club Winners August Judith Jolley £30.00 September: Margaret Staples £30.00 Adrienne Powell Chair – Horseheath Village Hall 01223 891691/07932 360589 Villagehall@horseheath.info Facebook: Horseheath Village Hall

CASTLE CAMPS C OF E (VC) PRIMARY SCHOOL Learning together with faith, hope and love

It was fantastic to see the children arriving back at school refreshed after their summer break. They have made an excellent start already and fitted into their new classes smoothly and easily. Our new Reception children have settled in very quickly and are bright, happy and eager to learn. We couldn’t have asked for a more positive start to the term.

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Congratulations We would like to send our warmest congratulations to our Hedgehog Class teacher Miss Lucy Smith who married during the summer. She will now be using her married name, Mrs Lawson. Congratulations must be also extended to Miss Jacqui Prior who also married in August. She will also be using her married name, Mrs Spall, from now on. We wish both couples the very best of luck for their future happiness. Building Improvements Over the summer holidays a number of improvements were made to the school site. These included: 1) Installing new oil tanks and boilers

2) Replacing oil pipes

3) Removing the mobile classroom

4) Installing a new Foundation Stage/Key Stage 1 playground next to Camps Island Due to the scale of the project, work will continue into September but should be completed before the Autumn Half Term. These developments are the first phase of works and from Easter 2016 the second phase will begin. This will include converting the older part of the school into a new and exciting Foundation Stage Unit. We are extremely grateful to the Local Authority who have made this project possible and are very much looking forward to seeing the finished result. Harvest Festival The start of the new academic term is always such a happy and exciting time with so many things to look forward to. Next month we will be celebrating our Harvest Festival in school on Friday 2 October. This year, we will be collecting dry and tinned produce for the Haverhill Food Bank and we are delighted welcome to school Mrs Ann Merrigan, Operations Manager, to explain the work of the project and how our donations will benefit those in need within our community. Red, White and Blue Day On Friday 9 October, Castle Camps Primary School will be joining thousands of pupils across the country by celebrating Red, White and Blue Day. This is a national event that increases awareness of the difficulties faced by our service families. It also serves to raise money for a number of military charities. We will be inviting all children (and staff) to support this event by wearing red, white and blue to school on Friday 9 October and donate £1 towards the event. Additional activities will be running throughout the day. It has been an extremely positive start to the new year on many levels and I look forward to updating you of our progress and achievements later in the term. Until then, please accept my very best wishes for the months ahead and do not hesitate to contact me via the Office if you wish to discuss any community/school matters.

THE MEADOW SCHOOL, BALSHAM Welcome back to the start of our new academic year. We are hoping that this year will be as successful as the previous two and that The Meadow can make it a hat trick of years to celebrate!

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Never one to stand still, during the summer it was a time for change and more new things at The Meadow. Firstly we welcomed two superb new teachers to our school. Both of who spent many an hour organising and creating wonderful learning environments for their new classes to come back to. Then we welcomed the arrival of the new woodland in the Infant outdoor area. This was created thanks to a stalwart group of parents who battled the elements at the beginning of the holidays digging, painting, planting and shovelling. I even learned to lay a path! Not content with that, two fantastic gentlemen from our community (with no children at our school) offered to come and build an outdoor stage for the children to perform on. This is no ordinary stage; it is something rather wonderful and would rival the Globe theatre for size and acoustics! The children absolutely love it and already we have been treated to many a show or song. Ours really is a community that keeps on giving and certainly one to be proud of – thank you Tom and co. Another significant change is our building project. You may remember earlier in the year we were awarded a grant to replace all of the external windows and doors in school. If you have driven past the front of school recently you may have noticed that we now have some fantastic new windows being fitted. The blue panels at the bottom match the school colour and the most exciting thing is the windows actually open and close as windows should, without falling out! With the energy efficient solar heat saving glass the project will hopefully be finished by the beginning of November, just as the cold weather begins. Finally, our last change has been the new children that have joined our school. We welcomed our new Foundation Stage children on the 3 September, who all skipped in happily, full of energy and enthusiasm about starting their journey. Within minutes some had dressing up clothes on, others had play-dough, whilst a small group threaded beads on strings. It wasn’t the children who looked teary eyed as the bell rang and it was time for the parents to leave and let the real learning begin. Tissues issued to parents and last kisses and cuddles shared, the children readily embarked on their first day at school. Welcome to all of our new families whether you have recently moved to our community or if it is your first child starting school. I am confident you will very quickly settle into school life and get to realise what a beautiful part of the world we live in. Although many things have once again changed, we are determined to maintain the high standards we have set in recent years and are committed to providing an inspiring, interesting, challenging, enjoyable and thematic education to each and every one of our children. Ensuring they all leave our school with a passion for life-long learning and dreams they are capable of achieving. With this in mind, if you feel you can offer any support to the school, hearing readers, joining our helping hands team or coming to the many events that we host throughout the year, such as our upcoming Craft Fair, then please do pop in to see us. We are urgently seeking a paid lunchtime supervisor to join our team for 1 hour per day. Please contact the office if this interests you. We share photos and news of everything that happens at The Meadow on our twitter page, @Meadow_Balsham. Take a peek! Nichola Connor, Headteacher The Meadow Primary School

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WEST WICKHAM & DISTRICT GARDENING CLUB ANNUAL SHOW Once again a wonderful display of vegetables, flowers, jam, chutney, liqueurs and cakes etc. were on display at West Wickham & District Gardening Club's Annual Show on 15 August. Everyone who entered should be proud of their effort and it was great that the show attracted a number of new exhibitors and that there were new winners of several of the trophies.

The cup and trophy winners were: The Children's Trophy: Isabella Bearton The West Wratting Cup for vegetables & fruit: Simon Blackwell The White Horse Trophy for cut flowers & plants: Jean Martin The Stan & Hilda Cox cup for domestic classes: Sue Kiddy The West Wickham Star Baker: Amy Sargent The Bill Pearson Cup for the most points won in show was won by Simon Blackwell, with Jean Martin and Sue Kiddy runners up The RHS Banksian Medal was won by Simon Blackwell

I enjoyed it, I know those who came to see the show were impressed by what they saw. Those who were not able to come missed a very good display, so don't miss next years show.

Andrew Morris, Show Organiser

Autumn 2015 Programme Monday 19 October: Apples (diseases and identification)

Talk by Joanna Crosby from Trumpington Orchard Project Monday 16 November: The care of cacti and succulents

Talk by Richard and Sheena Drane from Green Lawns Nursery, Sudbury

Monday 21 December: Christmas meeting - short talks by club members. All meetings are held in West Wickham Village Hall starting at 7.30pm. Further details available from Rosemary Yallop - 01799 584262

LINTON HEALTH CENTRE

I am writing this update just the day before the Cambridge Dragon Boat Race – a fun charity event in aid of the Addenbrooke’s Charitable Trust. We have entered a team from the Health Centre - ‘Linton Quacks’ - and are hoping for a dry day for our supporters who will be picnicking by the side of the river. We have a funny feeling that the crew may get wet anyway so won’t mind quite so much if it rains!

We have a busy month ahead with our four Saturday flu clinics in October. We have 2,600 flu jabs to give to adults, nasal spray vaccine to give to children aged 2, 3 and 4, shingles vaccine for those aged 70-72 and 78-79 year olds, and the one-off pneumococcal vaccine for those aged 65 and over.

Work has been going on behind the scenes towards our merger with Sawston Practice next year. We asked the staff on both sites for their suggestions for the name of the new partnership. The winner was Granta Medical Practices - thank you to Judith Davey at Linton and Barbara Carroll at Sawston who both came up with that suggestion – both to receive a bottle of bubbly.

Dr Wheeler & Partners www.linton.gpsurgery.net

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A MESSAGE FROM OUR LOCAL POLICING TEAM (LINTON) We need your help. There are many types of crime that affect us here in South Cambs but none as shocking as human trafficking and slavery. Many of us would quite justifiably think that slavery had long been consigned to the history books but as recent media reporting has shown, it not only exists but is a growing force. It would be easy to think of this as something that is happening abroad or confined to our cities but I'm afraid that I have to tell you that slavery and exploitation are happening right here, under our noses. The greatest challenge we face when tackling slavery is that it doesn't look like it used to do. Modern day slavers don't need chains and manacles- their methods are far more insidious and this can allow it to pass almost un-noticed: possibly even in your street. To tackle this menace we therefore need to raise awareness about how modern slavery manifests itself- how to spot the tell tale signs and how to safely report concerns and suspicions to the police. With this in mind and with the help of our partners in South Cambs District Council and the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner we are holding an anti-slavery day on Saturday 17 October 2015 between 10am- 1pm in the Council chamber at South Cambridgeshire District Council. The summit will include award winning films from our partner charity 'Unchosen', presentations from guest speakers and a panel of experts who will be able to answer any questions that you have about modern day slavery. Our goal is to have every village in South Cambs represented by a delegate and I would like to invite you to represent your community. The role of the delegate will be two-fold. Firstly to attend our summit and learn all about modern day slavery. Secondly to spread the word in your local community by writing a piece for your local village magazine after the summit about what you've seen and learnt. If you would be interested in representing your village and helping your local officers defeat slavery please contact Chris Wiseman (Christopher.Wiseman@cambs.pnn.police.uk) or Leanne Fisher (Leanne.Fisher@cambs.pnn.police.uk).

With thanks in advance for your support. Chief Inspector James Sutherland Area Commander

CAMBRIDGESHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE SERVICE WINTER is coming and after seeing a rise in chimney fires last year, Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service is encouraging all residents to get their chimney professionally swept before the cold sets in. Top tips to enjoy an open fire safely:

Sweep your chimney at least once a year and get brickwork inspected, especially the chimney breast and roof space.

Do not bank fires too high or overload the grate, and remember to let them burn down well and check the hearth before going to bed.

Use a fire or spark guard to prevent accidental fires.

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Do not place objects on or over the mantle-piece which may cause you to stand too close to the fire to reach or use them.

Burn only suitable fuels and avoid burning resinous woods as soot builds up quickly. Above all, ensure you have a working smoke alarm fitted on each floor or your home. Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, visit www.cambsfire.gov.uk or call 01480 444500.

REMEMBERED…..

Mr Stanley Holdaway, Audley Way, Horseheath We send our deepest sympathy to the family of the dearly departed and we are thinking of them in our prayers.

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EST 1952

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VILLAGE DIARY

September 28 Black Bin collection 30 Tea and Chat, All Saints Church, 2.30pm-4pm

October 4 Church Flowers and Cleaning – Mrs Newman & Mrs Pearson 5 Green and Blue Bin Collection 8 Psychic Evening, 7.30-9.30pm in the Village Hall 9 Red, White and Blue Day at Castle Camps School 10

Meadow School Balsham PTA Autumn Craft and Gift Fair 10.30am-4pm 11 Harvest Lunch at Horseheath Village Hall Harvest Festival Service, Horseheath Church Church Flowers and Cleaning – Mrs Smith & Mrs Jolley 12 Black Bin collection 17 Anti-Slavery meeting 10am-1pm, SCDC Cambourne 18 Church Flowers and Cleaning – Mrs Smith & Mrs Jolley 19 Green and Blue Bin collection West Wickham and District Gardening Club – talk on Apples 24 Curry Night, Horseheath Village Hall 25 Church Flowers and Cleaning – Mrs Mizon and Mrs Gouldstone 26 Black Bin collection 30 Balsham Scouts Halloween Family Evening, 7pm at the Black Bull Balsham

November 1 Church Flowers and Cleaning – Mrs Mizon and Mrs Gouldstone 2 Green and Blue Bin collection 8 Church Flowers and Cleaning – Mrs Mayes and Mrs Wheeler 9 Black Bin Collection Parish Council Meeting, 7.45pm in the Village Hall 15 Church Flowers and Cleaning – Mrs Mayes and Mrs Wheeler 16 Green and Blue Bin collection West Wickham and District Gardening Club – talk on the care of Cacti 22 Church Flowers and Cleaning – Mrs Miller and Mrs Harrison 23 Black Bin collection 29 Church Flowers and Cleaning – Mrs Miller & Mrs Harrison 30 Blue Bin ONLY collection

December 6 Church Flowers and Cleaning – Mrs Newman & Mrs Pearson Brownies Over 60’s Christmas Luncheon (invitation only) Christingle Service 7 Black Bin collection 12 Christmas Coffee Morning 13 Church Flowers and Cleaning – Mrs Newman & Mrs Pearson 14 Green and Blue Bin collection 21 West Wickham and District Gardening Club – Christmas meeting